A history of women in hip-hop/rap
Northeastern University's Design Degree course enables students to pursue in-depth independent research aligned with their academic interests and passions
Rap/hip-hop was introduced to me early in my life by my best friend of ten plus years. When we first met in art class we would listen to music together and alternate our music choices. As we became closer, the genre has brought us closer together and serves as a reminder for our friendship
This sparked my topic for this project to dive deeper into the history of the genre and the women who shaped it
THE PROBLEM
Women in hip-hop/rap have historically been underrepresented and overlooked in mainstream narratives, leading to a lack of recognition for their contributions to the genre
How might we design a timeline book that is engaging, accessible, and informative, inspiring a wider audience to learn about the history and impact of women in hip-hop/rap?
THE PROCESS
Research was vital for this project. I conducted multiple methods of research executions such as secondary research, qualitative surveys, user reviews, and concept testing. When starting to research I established some general research questions:What is the best way to highlight female rappers and their achievements, discography, and life?
How do people typically learn about new artists and music history?
How would people benefit from a resource that highlights women in hip-hop/rap?
How can I make this book visually appealing to grab viewers attentions?
PROCESS OVERVIEW
RESEARCH OUTCOMES
After going through many research channels such as reviewing articles and books along with conducting interviews and speaking to users and experts here are my main takeaways:
A timeline design to house this information is easy for people to understand
There is an abundance of interest in learning about women in hip-hop/rap
People recognize that women face challenges in this male-dominated industry
“This book can help spread awarness for female rappers and inspire other aspiring female rapeprs” - Callie, a participant I interviewed
EXPLORATION
When exploring design solutions, I explored a variety of visual sketches and directions for specific moments in the book. There were mood boards and imagery I took inspiration from
After this initial visual explorations and sketching, I was able to develop my visual idea further into more solidified paths for the project